Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan –
Name: Maj. Laurie Frazier
Home Unit: 1st Medical Group
What do you do? Chief, Patient Movement Element
What's a day in the life, as Chief of Patient Movement Element?
We work 12 hour shifts 0700-1900 and are responsible for the submission of all air evacuation patient movement requests. In addition, we perform all patient preparation for air evacuation to include preparing equipment, medication, meals, and any other movement requirements. On average we perform 2-3 missions per day with inbound flights/medevacs from within Afghanistan and outbound flights.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now?
The new friends and colleagues I have met and the true mission oriented attitudes.
What's the most useful item you packed? Electric blanket.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? Never really had that moment as I've deployed before.
What's the best part of the deployment?
Taking care of the combat casualties and providing them small things like a smile or the offer to call home.
The worst part?
Being stuck at Manas due to weather. Personnel stay in a big clamshell tent that has about 90 new best friends. The cold is almost unbearable and very little sleep. So when you finally get to Bagram and get a B-hut room to call your own its sheer heaven.
What new survival skill have you learned?
Getting laundry done with only four washers/dryers for over 400 personnel. The watch timer has been invaluable at obtaining hard to find washing machines.
What do you do during down time?
PT and occasionally some reading.
What is the first thing you will do and eat when you return?
Drink a cold beer and eat a steak that hasn't been cooked to death.
What do you miss the most?
A bathroom I don't have to put on my PT gear and walk to.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside?
I am the education and training officer, so providing direct patient care and ensuring the safe air evacuation of casualties has been very rewarding.
Have you tried the local cuisine?
No, as we are not allowed off post.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
Not much as there isn't really a lot of time to watch the news and Stars and Stripes doesn't convey other than major stories. I guess mostly it's really amazing how when you don't have much you seem to miss things less.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment?
I may take a long road trip when I return.